Tracy Baxter Reports: Middletown's future is looking rosier nowadays

Even Middletown's hard-core cynics would have found a few nice things to say about their city if they had happened to be among those who lined the streets to watch a parade pass by.

Tracy Baxter

Even Middletown's hard-core cynics would have found a few nice things to say about their city if they had happened to be among those who lined the streets to watch a parade pass by.

The colorful 125th anniversary event last month featured more than floats, marchers, music and miles of smiles.

Parade viewers were also feeding off the positive vibe that's been felt during a series of badly needed victories achieved by a city working to reinvent itself.

Ask anniversary committee member Jerry Kleiner about the celebration, and he'll tell you about the folks who've been showing a renewed interest and sense of pride in the rich history of Middletown. And you'll hear about recent conversations he's had with those who haven't given up on Middletown and envision the potential to be found in its diversity.

Turns out, Middletown has been riding a wave of good fortune that goes well beyond a parade and fireworks.

The Middletown School District hit the jackpot back in December when it won $20 million in grants from the ultra-selective Race to the Top national competition, which rewards districts for discovering innovative ways to personalize learning and improve classroom attendance and performance. Middletown was the only district in the state to win the federal grant.

The city drew raves for its starring role as host of the Hoboken International Film Festival in June, resulting in a three-year contract with festival organizers and the promise of future bookings at the Paramount Theatre.

And New York-based Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine will soon breathe new life into the former Horton Hospital building by creating a medical college that will bring jobs, provide a boost to nearby businesses and generate millions in additional annual revenue for the city.

Coming attractions are expected to include a Middletown connection to Orange County's wildly popular Heritage Trail.

Unfortunately, even with all these good vibrations, there remains plenty of ammunition out there for Middletown naysayers. Families continue to struggle to pay bills and put food on the table. Taxes take a heavy toll. Decent-paying, full-time jobs remain hard to find. Police stay busy responding to criminal activity.

The challenge will be to build on all that positive momentum.

Part of Middletown's anniversary hoopla included a gift from the past — the opening of a time capsule that had been placed in the cornerstone of City Hall when it was constructed 103 years ago. The bits of history discovered inside showed the pride residents felt about their hometown way back when. Plans are now in the works to place another capsule at City Hall.

Souvenirs from all the recent triumphs should be included. They'd provide a snapshot of an upbeat moment in Middletown history and the current hope of more good news to come.

Reach Tracy Baxter at tbaxter@th-record.com and see his NewsWatch program and online blog at recordonline.com